November 28, 2012, Washington, DC: With the opening of the entry lottery period just days away, organizers of the 41st running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, known as “the Runner’s Rite of Spring®” in the Nation’s Capital, have established the following lottery entry procedures:

Applications for the lottery to enter the 2013 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run will be accepted between 10 am Monday, December 3 and 11:59 pm Friday, December 14, 2012. The status of all lottery registrants – whether accepted or not – will be posted on the event website by 10 am on Tuesday, December 18. All individuals who entered the 2012 lottery - whether accepted or not – should have automatically received an email reminder directly from event organizers about the opening of the lottery in late November; others are encouraged to visit the event’s website at www.cherryblossom.org on or before December 3 for complete details.

Please note: Runners can bypass the entry lottery by registering to become a Charity Race Entry Participant; Charity Race Entry Participants raise a minimum of $500 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the official race charity, Credit Unions for Kids. More information about the opportunity to become a Charity Race Entry Participant is available at: http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/cucherryblossom/

Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers held their annual Fall Kickoff Reception on Friday evening, November 16th. Among the highlights of the evening were the presentation of the official 2013 t-shirt design, and the announcement of the Social Runner Contest winners.

In his comments about the official t-shirt design, Event Director Phil Stewart said, “Local graphic artist Chris Rodriguez captured the springtime essence of the event and the city in his work which was well-received at the Fall Kickoff.”

Deputy Race Director Becky Lambros, who served on the Social Runner selection committee, was enthusiastic about the 2013 Social Runners, who promote the event through Facebook, Twitter and other social media. “I believe our 2013 social runners will engage successfully with their fellow registrants in a fun and informative way,” she said.

The innovative social runner’s program was launched in 2012. Applications for the 2013 program quickly reached the limit of 500 established by Credit Union Cherry Blossom organizers, and the two contest winners, are bloggers, Tweeters and frequent Facebook posters.

Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan is a children’s book author who lives with her husband and three sons in Pittsburgh, PA where she writes, runs, and happily serves as the household dessert taster. This will be her third Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run and she is hoping for a PR. She tweets as @epagelhogan and blogs at www.tryitandyoumay.blogspot.com.

Amanda Woerman is working toward a PhD in neuro-science and lives with her husband in Washington, DC where she studies, runs, and carbo-loads on waffles. This will be her fourth Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run and she is also hoping for a PR. She tweets as @runonwaffles and blogs at www.runningonwaffles.com. Immediately following the Kickoff Reception, Amanda drove to Philadelphia, where she ran the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 18th in 4:38:45.

In appreciation of their efforts to help generate online buzz about the race, Amanda and Elizabeth will receive free entry into the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run, free enrollment in Potomac River Running’s In-person Training Program or the New Balance Virtual Training Program as well as lots of free running gear from New Balance.

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®.” The staging area for the event is on the Washington Monument Grounds and the course passes in sight of all of the major Washington, DC Memorials. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across the United States. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds two $5,000 Road Runners Club of America “Roads Scholar” grants designed to support up-and-coming U.S. distance running talent.

Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc., a consortium of credit unions and credit union suppliers, is the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk. PSCU is the lead financial partner of Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. Supporting sponsors include Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, New Balance, Potomac River Running, Gold’s Gym and E-Trade.